Rare Star Wars Jawa figure found in loft to be auctioned

The Jawa character, wearing a vinyl cape on Palitoy packaging, is considered one of the rarest 70s Star Wars figures

The "holy grail" of Star Wars figures has been found and put up for auction for the second time in six months.

In July, Excalibur Auctions, in Hertfordshire, sold a Jawa figure with a vinyl cape for £26,670, exceeding its auction estimate of £10,000-£15,000.

The owner, pleased with the result, searched his loft and located a second toy which will auction on 27 January.

Auctioneer Jonathon Torode said: "This is up there as one of the holy grails of Star Wars figure collecting."

The figure owner, who worked for Marvel UK between 1974 and 1979, received a range of gifts from UK toy company Palitoy during the promotion of the Star Wars line in Marvel's comics.

When auctioneer Jonathan Torode saw the first figure in July he said his hands "started shaking" when he realised it was "the one".

US company Kenner designed the toys and Palitoy held the licence to distribute them across Europe.

Some Star Wars figures that come in Palitoy branded packaging are worth more then their American Kenner counterparts.

The Jawa character sold in July was believed to be the 8th or 9th figure to be found and sold with a Palitoy card attached.

The auctioneer believed the newly discovered toy will "almost certainly" find a seller overseas as interest builds in the Palitoy brand of Star Wars figures

Mr Torode said: "There's usually a lot of worldwide interest in these, a lot of the people in the US are starting to wake up to the value of Palitoy Star Wars figures."

He added: "Up until seven or eight years ago they didn't think any Jawas made it on to any Palitoy card."

The previous figure sold for £21,000 (£26,670 including commission charges).

Explaining the interest in the toys, Mr Torode said: "There are people who get to a certain age and start to have a disposable income and want to relive their childhood, get all the things they potentially trashed as kids".

Although there is some wear on the Jawa packaging, the auctioneers believe the rarity of the toy still makes it a valuable item

The current figure is not in as remarkable condition as the first sold, with some slight wear on the packaging.

"When you consider this is 47 years old, there's not many of us that get to 47 without any dings and dents," joked the auctioneer.

Fans will have the opportunity to bid for the figure in the auction which includes other vintage toys and Star Wars figures on 27 January.

The Jawa figure "carries a conservative estimate of £10,000-£15,000."